WCHA prognosticators keep picking even if Gophers idle

Last weekend, I challenged Peter Simons, a local sports blogger, to pick WCHA college games with me.

Peter -- can I call you Pete? I did last week without asking -- was a sensational 8-1-1 last week. He didn't forsee Colorado College beating Denver in one game, Tigers won second game 9-2. He had Gophers and Wisconsin splitting and U should have won second game but tied 3-3.

I didn't do so well. Went so-so 6-3-1. Gophers let me down the most. I predicted a sweep for them.

Three of five WCHA series last weekend were splits and there was the Badgers' win and tie at Maroosh, too. Only Nebraska-Omaha swept MSU Mankato.

This week Pete and I match wits again. I have a lot of ground to make up. But we have five differences, so I can do it.

P.S. Pete's blog is minnesotasportsbypete's

North Dakota @ Wisconsin
Peter: This will be another extremely tough weekend for both teams. There really are very few easy games in the WCHA this year. UND split a couple tough games at home with UMD, while Wisconsin took three points at Minnesota. The Badgers lost a lot of talent from last year but are extremely scrappy, ask the Gophers. I like the Badgers chances of a sweep at home but UND has too much talent. ... Split
Roman: Sioux used frosh G Aaron Dell in both games last weekend, instead of Brad Eidsness and split at the Ralph with UMD. No. 10-ranked NoDak is 4-0-1 when it scores four goals or more, 1-4-0 if held under four. D-man Chay Genoway had three assists as he continues comeback. No. 14 Badgers are 3-0-2 in last five games, are third in nation in scoring, averaging 4.3 goals per game. Frosh winger Mark Zengerle had six-point weekend (one goal) at Maroosh. PP clicking. ... Badgers sweep

Michigan Tech @ Minnesota Duluth
Peter: MTU started out well but it seems they are coming back to reality losing three straight and will face a very tough UMD squad at home. UMD again went on the road and gutted out some points at UND. I really like the Bulldogs this year and they will give the Huskies a beating.... UMD sweeps

Roman: UNO is 7-1, rated No. 7 in USA Today poll. Rich Purslow had three assists last weekend in first game against MSU Mankato, Terry Broadhurst three in second. Huskies are led by Ben Hanowski (five goals) and Aaron Marvin (four) but nobody else has more than two. Even Garrett Roe is stuck at two and Mike Lee, half of goalie tandem with Dan Dunn, is 3-2 but has a 3.31 GAA and a .887 save percentage. ... UNO sweeps

Alaska Anchorage @ Bemidji State
Peter: UAA after a promising start with a tie against UND and win over Air Force have been 0-5-1. BSU has been playing better of late, I think they will get the first win and sweep at their new home. ... BSU sweeps

Roman: Two teams off to slow stats. AA is 1-5-2, BSU 1-4-1. Seawolves have played in five one-goal games. They are scoring only 2.5 goals per game and their special teams are not special. PP is 12th in WCHA (4 for 38), PK 11th. Beavers will rename new rink Sanford Arena on Fri. Lots of firsts for BSU this season, include first series ever vs. AA. Soph Jordan George was 1-5-6 in split at St. Cloud State last weekend. ... Split

Minnesota State-Mankato @ Denver Peter: MSU got swept at UNO last week and is hitting a tough part of their schedule with a lot of road games. This is another weekend they will not see a point. Denver split last weekend with CC and [the Pioneers] are only 2-2-1 at home so far this year. But I don't think that will matter, Denver is one of the better teams in the WCHA and at home. ... Denver sweep

Roman: DU was 3-0-1 vs. Mavs last season. Hottest Pio is freshman Jason Zucker, Wild 2nd rd. pick in 2010, who has scored goals in four consecutive game and has a conference-high seven in WCHA games. Soph Drew Shore is leading Pios in scoring (7-5-12), Zucker is next (7-2-9). Mavs in middle of eight-game road swing and have been outshot last six games. ... DU sweeps